MERSEYSIDE'S Police Commissioner is hosting a series of community consultation events asking local people if they support her proposal to make improving road safety a new priority for the region.

Jane Kennedy launched a region wide consultation in December asking people to give her their views on her existing policing priorities for Merseyside and specifically asking the region's residents whether they would back her in introducing a new priority aimed at making the region's roads safer.

Now Jane is going out into communities across Merseyside to ask people, face to face, what they think of her proposals. Jane is holding 6 roadshow events where she will be talking to local people to get a clearer idea of their views.

The community roadshow events will be held at:-

► 2pm to 4pm, on Friday, 6 January 2017, at Asda Town Centre, Kirkland Street, St Helens, WA10 2EF.

► 2pm to 4pm, on Monday, 9 January 2017, at Morrisons, Dee Lane, West Kirby, CH48 0QA.

► 2pm to 4pm, on Tuesday, 10 January 2017, at Asda Huyton, Huyton Lane, L36 7TX.

► 10am to 12 noon, on Wednesday, 11 January 2017, at Asda Aintree, Ormskirk Road, L10 3LN.

► 2pm to 4pm, on Wednesday, 11 January, 2017, at Tesco Superstore, Mather Avenue, Allerton, L18.

► 10am to 12noon, on Friday, 13 January 2017, at Sainsbury's, Rice Lane, Walton, L9 1NL.

The consultation is at the heart of the Commissioner's work to produce a new Police and Crime Plan. Jane is required by law to produce a Plan, which shapes and informs the way policing and community safety is delivered in the county. The Plan sets out the clear priorities on which the Commissioner and her partners will focus their work and the ways in which Merseyside Police will use its resources to deliver excellent Policing for the communities of Merseyside.

Jane's current plan was created in September 2015 and runs until March 2017, when she will release a new report which will cover until March 2021. Her existing priorities are to:-

► Prevent crime and anti social behaviour.

► Provide a visible and accessible Neighbourhood Policing style.

► Tackle serious and organised crime.

► Support victims, protect vulnerable people and maintain public safety.

Now the Commissioner is asking local people if these are still the right priorities for the region or if there are any other emerging issues that they feel should be addressed.

Jane said:- "The existing Police and Crime Plan for Merseyside was produced in 2015. Now I have the mandate from the public to serve a second term, I believe it's the right time to take a fresh look at the Plan and make sure these priorities still echo the expectations and wishes of local people. I am holding these events so I can hear what people across Merseyside really think about the existing priorities and the issues they think I should focus on over the next four years. The Plan is a really important document, so it's vital I take everyone's views into consideration before changing it. I want to make sure it reflects the views and concerns of people across the county."

Jane also detailed why she believed it was the right time to add a new priority of 'working in partnership to improve road safety' to the Merseyside Plan. She said:- "Since 2010, Merseyside has witnessed a sharp increase in the number of people killed or seriously injured on the roads. Last year 585 people either lost their lives or suffered serious injuries on our region's roads; that equates to more than 11 people every single week. More pedestrians die or are seriously hurt on the roads in our region than any other part of the country. Each and every 1 of these incidents brings suffering and misery to those who are involved, their families and friends. Lives are broken and futures destroyed, yet many of these collisions are avoidable. I believe it is time that, in conjunction with all my community safety partners, we concentrate on tackling this issue to prevent other people needlessly losing their lives on our roads. But what I want to do now is to listen to the views of local people and find out; improving the safety of roads a priority for you too?"

People are also invited to have their say on her #MyPriority consultation via a short online survey by and sharing their views, before Monday, 16 January 2017. Alternatively feedback can be emailed  or sent to:-

Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Merseyside, Rose Lane, Allerton, L18 6JE.

A range of stakeholder engagement events will also be held to seek the views of partners.

The Police and Crime Plan is a living document which is continuously reviewed to ensure it continues to accurately reflect local priorities. It can be refreshed at any time.